asian elephant taking mud bath
The Asian elephant is the largest land animal in Asia and a culturally revered species across South and Southeast Asia. Smaller than its African counterpart, it is distinguished by its smaller ears, more rounded back, and the presence of a single 'finger' on its trunk tip. Asian elephants play an important ecological role as seed dispersers and habitat modifiers in tropical forests.
Average Length
5.5 m
Average Weight
4000 kg
Lifespan
60-70 years
Top Speed
25 km/h
Quick Facts
Asian elephants have the longest gestation period of any land animal at 22 months.
Only male Asian elephants grow large tusks; females rarely have visible tusks.
They are highly intelligent with complex social bonds and documented mourning behaviour.
India is home to over 60% of the world's wild Asian elephant population.
Habitat & Range
Habitats
Regions
Behavior & Reproduction
Activity Pattern
Diurnal
Social Structure
Matriarchal herds of 6-20 individuals
Gestation Period
22 months
Litter Size
1
Predators
Tigers (calves), Humans
Found in Parks
Eravikulam National Park
Kerala
Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple Tiger Reserve
Karnataka
Jim Corbett National Park
Uttarakhand
Mudumalai National Park
Tamil Nadu
Manas National Park
Assam
Bandipur National Park
Karnataka
Silent Valley National Park
Kerala
Melghat Tiger Reserve
Maharashtra
Valmiki Tiger Reserve
Bihar
Kaziranga National Park
Assam
Nagarhole National Park
Karnataka
Periyar National Park
Kerala
Dudhwa National Park
Uttar Pradesh
Simlipal National Park
Odisha
Rajaji National Park
Uttarakhand